179. The funeral liturgy outside Mass is ordinarily celebrated in the parish church, but may be celebrated in the home of the deceased, a funeral home, parlor, chapel of rest, or cemetery chapel.

The “pastoral reasons” of OCF 178.3 might indicate one of these options above. The other “reasons,” liturgical or the availability of the priest, wouldn’t automatically suggest the funeral take place outside of the church.

For you clergy out there, how often have you celebrated a funeral liturgy outside of Mass? Which of these locations have you used? Has anyone celebrated a funeral in a home?

about Todd Flowerday

A Roman Catholic lay person, married (since 1996), with one adopted child (since 2001). I serve in worship and spiritual life in a midwestern university parish.

about John Donaghy

John is a lay missionary since 2007 with a parish in western Honduras. Before that he served in campus ministry and social justice ministry in Iowa. His ministry blog is http://hermanojuancito.blogspot.com

He also blogs reflections on the lectionary and saints/heroes/events of the date at http://walktheway.wordpress.com

He'll be a long-term contributor here analyzing the Latin American bishops' document from their 2007 Aparecida Conference.